Closure operator



Jan. 11 1927. 1,613,649

0. B. DOBBINS CLOSURE QPERATOR Filed March 1'7, 1926 2 Shouts-Shoat 1 Zal 1; M 4%. s 3% 20 2 m 7 I I 27 v 7 v 27 z 27 K M Attorney Jan. 11 1927. 1,613,649

0. B. DOBBINS CLOSURE OPERATOR Filed March 17, 1926 2 Shuts-Shoot 2 7 I, I J 00 Inventor Attorney Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

UNETED STATES OLIVER B. DOBBINS, O1" CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS.

oLosUnn ore-Baron.

Application filed March 17 The present invention relates to improve ments in closure operators and has reference more particularly to a highly novel yet simple means for effecting the actuation of the 5 swinging doors of a garage, shed, or barn by the wheels of a vehicle passing over a trip mechanism located ata point remote of the doors.

A further object is to provide a closure operator which will at all times be positive and eflicient in its operation, the same being further of such construction as to enable the same to be installed without interfering with the access through the opening for which the doors are provided and without further necessitating any material alterations of the garage or the doors.

A still further object is to provide a closure operator which is simple in construction, inexpensive strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying draw ings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the closure operator embodying my inventiomshowing tie same associated with the swinging doors of a garage, and illustrating the arrangement of the parts when in their normal positions, and when the swinging doors of the garage are closed.

Figure 2 isa similar view showing the doors swung to an open position. t

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism, and also the telescoping tubular members showing the manner in which the same are associated with the shaft and doors of the garage respectively.

Figure l is an enlarged detail of the tele scopic members and the' coil spring'surrounding the same, and

Figure 5 is a detail of the trip mechanisn'i.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred e1nbodiment-of my invention, the numerals 1 and 2 designate a pair of coacting swinging doors. which provide a closure for the entrance to a garage or the like designated the shaft 5.

, 1928. Serial No. 95,294.

generally by the numeral 3. Extending transversely. and journaled at its respective.

ends in suitable bearings of the bracket 4 is This shaft is preferably located at apoint adjacent the top of the door and the supporting bracket for the shaft are supported from the rafters of the garage in the manner clearly shown in Figure 3. A ratchet wheel6 is fixedly secured on the intermediate portion of the shaft, and the purpose thereof will be hereinafter more fully described.

A lever 7 is loosely mounted at its inner end on the shaft 5 adjacent the ratchet wheel 6. A pivoted pawl 8 is carried by the intermediate portion of said lever and the same cooperates with the ratchet teeth formed in the peripheral edge of the ratchet wheel 6 for actuating the shaft 5 as will be hereinafter more fully described. A dog 9 is associated with the shaft supporting bracket- 4; which is located adjacent the bracket wheel 5 and this dog coo )erates with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel (3 in preventing the rotation of the shaft in the reverse direction. The actuating dog associated with the lever 7 and the locking (log 9 are clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing.

A retractile coil spring 1.0 is associated with the outer free end of the lever 7 for maintaining the latter in its normal position.

A crank arm 11 is fixedly secured to the outer ends of the shaft 5;

A pair of telescopic tubular members. 12 and 13 respectively are associated with each of. the doors, and as is more clearly illustrated in Figure 4': of they drawings, the inher end of the tubular member 13 is slidably disposedwithin the outer end of the larger tubular member 12. The inner opposed ends of the telescopic tubular members 12 and 13 are open, while the outer ends thereof are closed. The closed outer end of each of the tubular members 12 connected to the outer-end of the respective crank arms 11 which are secured on the outer ends of the shaft 5 through the medium ofa ball and socket connection designated generally A similar connection 15 by the numeral 14;. a'lfords'a means whereby the outer ends of the smaller tubular member 13 may be hingedly secured to the inner sides of the doors 9 and 3 respectively. A plate 16 which carries one of the portions of the joint whereby the outer ends of the telescopic members 13 may be connected to the doors is secured to the ioof iii)

inner side of each of the doors at a point adjacent the upper edge thereof and also adjacent the hinged side thereof. This" construction is clearly shown in Figures 3 and st of the drawings.

A retractile coil spring 17 encircles the inner open end of the tubular member 19., one end of this coil spring extending into the slot 18 which extends longitudinally in the intermediate portion of the tubular member 12, the other end of the coil spring extending into the slot 19 which extends longitudinally in the othertubular member '8. The respective ends of the retractile coil spring 1'? are normally disposed adjacent the inner opposed ends of the longitudinally extending slots 18 and 19 respectively, as clearly shown in Figure a, and also the inner opposed ends of tubular mem bet-s12 and so that either pushing the telescopic members together or pulling them apart will expand the spring.

' connected to the lever 7, and extends forwardly of the garage, and is trained around a suitable guide pulley 21 which is preferably arranged adjacent the center of the door opening at the top there of in the manner clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. The able then e2:- tends laterally to one side of the garage where it is trained over another pulley 22 and the outer end of the cable extends forwardly of the entrance to the garage and is connected to a suitable trip mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 5.

This trip mechanism includes a pair of relatively short posts or blocks indicated by the numerals 23 and 24 respectively. These blocks are set in the entrance to the garage. in the roadway, a suitable distance from the doors of the garage. The block 24 is preferably set in the road bed adjacent the side edge thereof, while the complementary block or post 25 is arranged in the intermediate portion of the road bed and preferably such a distance with respect to the block 24 so as to enable at least one pair of aligned front and rear wheels of the vehicle to pass between the spaced blocks or posts.

A chain 26 is secured at one end to the block 25, the other end of the chain being trained over a pulley 27 mounted on the top of the block 24;, and then extending downwardly along the side of the block 2e and is connected to the outer end ofthe cable 20. An additional pulley 28 is supported' on the outer side of the block 24 adjacent the bottom thereof and the outer endport on of the cable 20 is trained thereoven.

The chain 96 is normally maintained taut and the blOCrIf-E 2% and-25 which are arranged in the roadway remote of the garage doors are of such height as not to interfere with the passing of the vehicle thereover. The chain 26 is normally maintained taut through the medium of the coil spring 10 which returns the lever 7 to its normal osition.

The operation of the closure operator embodying the present invention may be briefly stated as follows: Normally the parts are arranged shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. When a vehicle approaches the garage, as soonasthe outer front wheel of the vehicle passes over the-chain 26, the trip will depressed and will simultaneously cause an outward pull to be exerted on the cable 20 which will result in the for ward or outward swinging movement of the lever 7 against the tension Ofi 'tlli coil spring 10. The pawl 8 which is carried by the lever 7 will turn the ratchet wheel and the shaft 5 011 which the ratchet wheel (i is lined a quarter of a revolution. Simultaneous with the turning of the shaft 5 a quarter of a revolution, the crank arm 11 will also swing upwardly and "lmrwardly a quarter of a revolution. of the crank arms will tend to exert an outward thrust on the doors 1 andQ through the medium of telescopic tubular 1 members 12 and 13.

When the rear outer wheel of the vehicle passes over the chain 26, the shaft 'will be caused to rotate another quarter of a revolution, as will also the crank arms 11. During the outward swinging movement of the doors 1 and 2,.the telescopic members 12 and 13 will become shorter in length, at-the same time, retractile coil springs 17 will expanddue to the respective ends of the tubular members being in engagement with the respective ends of the coil spring. Vhenthe doors 1 and 2 are in the open position as shown in Figures 2. 3, and-4 of the drawings, the vehicle will be permitted to enter the garage without necessitating the operator having to leave h s seatand open the doors, thus saving considerable time and labor.

pand and inreturning to normal, will pull the swinging doors shut.

The doors may be returned to a closedor open POSlllOIk by hand by pulling .on' the cable 20 so as to cause the shaft 5 to comthe completion of the last half of therevolution, the crank arms 11 and in such a position as to cause the doors 1 and 2 to swing I This movement plete another half a revolution and during inwardly to a closed position or outwardly to an open position as desired.

\Vhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that minor chan es in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Means for actuating a swinging closure for a garage comprising a shaft supported transversely in the garage, a pawl and ratchet mechanism associated with the shaft, means operable by a vehicle either leaving or approaching the garage for actuating the pawl and ratchet mechanism, and thereby operating the shaft, an operative connection between the shaft and said closure whereby the latter will be simultaneously operated with the shaft, said connection comprising a crank arm having one end thereof fixed to the shaft, a pair of telescopic tubular members secured at their outer ends to the swinging closure and the outer end of the crank arm respectively, each of said telescopic members being slotted longitudinally, and a retractile coil spring encircling the inner opposed ends of the telescopic members, the ends of the coil spring being disposed within the slots of the respective telescopic members and normally disposed adjacent the inner ends of the slots and so arranged as to return the two telescopic members to their normal position when the two telescopic members are either pulled apart or shoved together.

Means for actuating the swinging closure for a garage comprising a shaft supported transversely in the garage, a ratchet wheel secured on the shaft, a crank arm fixed at one end on said shaft, a combination collapsing and expanding opening conneclion between the other end of the crank arm and said closure, a lever rockably mounted on the shaft, a pawl carried thereby and adapted for engagement with the ratchet wheel for effecting the rotation of the shaft, and a simultaneous movement of the closure, a trip mechanism arranged at a point remote of the closure, a cable connecting said trip mechanism with said lever whereby the lever is operated when the trip mechanism is actuated, and a coil spring associated with said lever for securing the same to its normal position and simultaneously returning simultaneous movement of the closure, av

trip mechanism arranged at a'point remote of the closure, a cable connecting said trip mechanism with said lever whereby the lever is operated when the trip mechanism is actuated, a coil spring associated with said lever for securing the same to its normal position and simultaneously returning the trip mechanism to its normal position, said trip mechanism including a pair of posts arranged in the roadway, one of said posts being disposed adjacent the outer side of the roadway, the other post being disposed in the intermediate portion thereof so that one pair of aligned wheels of a Vehicle may pass between the posts and a flexible member secured at one end to said posts, said.

press the same.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

OLIVER B. DOBBINS. 

